In today’s episode, Colleen peels back the curtain on one of the most radical shifts we can make: recognizing that we are not our thoughts—we’re the observer behind them. What starts as a reflection on managing the energy in your body becomes a masterclass in emotional authorship, reminding us that our thoughts, not our circumstances, are what create our lived reality.

Using the metaphor of a self-driving car, Colleen breaks down how most of us are unconsciously letting outdated programming steer our lives. But it doesn’t have to be that way. When you take back the wheel—choosing how you want to feel and filtering your thoughts through that emotional compass—you begin to rewrite the narrative of your life, one aligned action at a time.

This episode is both a wake-up call and a permission slip: to believe what feels good, let go of what causes suffering, and trust that healing your inner world is how you change the outer one. If you've ever wondered whether it’s really possible to feel free, peaceful, and powerful in your own skin—this is your answer.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• You are not your thoughts—you’re the one hearing them. Use that awareness to change your story.

• Your body is your compass; if a thought feels heavy or constricting, it’s not the truth you need.

• You don’t need external validation to feel good—you need internal alignment.

• Emotional energy is your language with the universe. Tune it, and your life will start to reflect it.

• The bravest thing you can do is feel your feelings and then choose the ones you want more of.

If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.

Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you’re struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen’s NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!

Find me on:

YouTube: @HangoverWhisperer

TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer

Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer

X (Twitter) : @NotAboutTheAlc

Transcript

In today’s episode, Colleen walks us through a high-stakes moment with one of her clients—standing at the emotional fork in the road between old habits and radical self-responsibility.

After a tense night at her childhood home, surrounded by triggering family dynamics and judgment, this client found herself spiraling into shame after a single shot of tequila… and a familiar pattern of self-attack. With her sister likely ready to confront her, she reached out for support—not to fix the situation, but to reclaim her power before it got hijacked.

What unfolds is a masterclass in nervous system protection, mindset choice, and learning how to stop reacting to the stories in your head (and the ones projected onto you). This episode is your reminder that peace isn't earned through explanation—it’s chosen in the moment, with breath, presence, and courage.

If you’ve ever felt like you have to prove, fix, or defend your choices just to feel okay again—this one will show you another way.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• You can’t rewrite the story from inside the story—you have to leave it behind to create something new.

• Your body is your true self. Protect it like a mama bear.

• Emotional pain often comes not from others’ opinions, but your own mind’s interpretation of them.

• You don’t owe anyone an explanation to feel okay. Permission comes from you.

• Real power is choosing how you want to feel—and aligning your actions to create that state, without waiting for someone else to “get it.”

If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.

Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you’re struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen’s NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!

Find me on:

YouTube: @HangoverWhisperer

TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer

Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer

X (Twitter) : @NotAboutTheAlc

Transcript

Click here to register for the neural rewrite masterclass! How to escape your negative self-talk.

Click here to watch this episode on YouTube!

What happens when you’re the person everyone counts and you’re secretly falling apart?

In this episode, Colleen sits down with tech founder, entrepreneur and coach Mike Hardenbrook for an honest conversation about what it looks like when high-functioning people hit their limit. Mike opens up about the moment his drinking stopped working, why success can be a mask for burnout, and what it really takes to start living from self-trust instead of self-discipline.

Mike’s story is proof that you don’t have to lose everything to change—but you do have to stop pretending everything’s fine.

If you’re tired of performing under pressure, this episode will show you how to walk away from the bad habits that aren’t serving you anymore without losing your edge--or the fun version of yourself.

Mike has also developed a brand of supplements specifically for drinkers looking to cut back that have been shown to reduce alcohol cravings up to 60% and correct the nutritional deficiencies caused by regular drinking.

Find Mike:
Mike's Instagram
Mike's Website.

Click here to shop for the Cloud 9 supplements mentioned in the interview.

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you’re ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking.

Want daily updates from me?
TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer
Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer
Twitter (X): @NotAboutTheAlc
YouTube: @hangoverwhisperer

—Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you’re struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!